INLAND COLLEGES: Martin to play in D-League

The D-League has been a gateway for several aspiring pro players to reach the NBA. Former UC Riverside player Phil Martin hopes to add his name to that list.

Martin, who finished his collegiate career last season at UCR as the teamâs leading scorer, had been working out and looking at opportunities to play professionally overseas. The opportunity never materialized so Martin said his next option was to try the D-League. He was drafted Friday by the Iowa Energy and flew to Des Moines this past weekend.

âIâve really improved my game a lot and Iâm ready to take it to the next level,â he said. âIâm happy about the move.â

The Iowa Energy is an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Hornets. Martin was the fifth pick by the Energy, which also selected Justin Hurtt of Tulsa, Kenny Lawson of Creighton, Terrence Jennings, Louisville and Cam Tatum out of Tennessee.

The D-League season opens Nov. 23. There are 50 games plus the playoffs, which begin in April.

Lancers begin title defense

California Baptist University, the two-time Pacific West Conference womenâs champion, is the top seed in the National Christian College Athletic Association West Region Tournament.

The Lancers receive a first-round bye and host the winner of No. 2-seed Azusa Pacific and No. 3-seed Point Loma at 2 p.m. on Nov. 17.

Azusa Pacific and Point Loma play their semifinal game Wednesday at Azusa Pacific.

CBU (14-2-1) is the defending NCCAA National Champion and has won 10 straight games, a streak dating back to Oct. 2 when the Lancers lost 3-0 to Point Loma in San Diego. Since then, the Lancers have recorded seven shutouts.

The CBU men are the third seed in the NCCAA Menâs Soccer West Region Tournament.

The Lancers will play at second-seed Azusa Pacific at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15. It is a rematch of a 3-2 win by Azusa Pacific back on Sept. 21 when the Cougars scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in the 84th minute.

Fresno Pacific is the tournamentâs top seed and will host Trinity Lutheran on Thursday as well.

The final is Nov. 17 at the highest remaining seed. CBU (12-4-2) is the defending NCCAA National Champion.

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